Learn about gardening and composting in our haven of peace and tranquility in Sarthe, France

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple in our early 60's and provide private accommodation in one of two rooms with shared facilities in our own home. Volunteers will be expected to contribute to daily life such as with the preparation of meals and basic household chores as well as with the maintenance of the grounds and caring for our animals. Our smallholding is small and not a commercial operation. We aim to grow as much of our own food as possible and have 3 goats, 3 sheep, 2 cats, 1 horse and a dog all of whom are pets not livestock. We are also in the process of establishing a breeding flock of fancy chickens which we hope to develop into a hobby business.
  
  We employ traditional methods with hand tools coupled with modern scientific understanding so as to hopefully provide volunteers with a good grounding in sustainable crop and soil husbandry. This is very much hands on vocational training for which you will need suitable outside clothing and footwear. Above all you will need to bring with you a smile and a happy disposition as we work together in the mornings for about 4 or 5 hours with the tasks varying depending on the time of year and the weather (for we are but slaves not masters of the universe). The afternoons and weekends you are free to explore the local area and to this ends we provide some bicycles and when possible transport to and from the train station (sille le Guillaume) if you wish to visit Le Mans etc.
  
  Above all this is a cultural exchange and informal vocational training opportunity in sustainable living. We enjoy conversation particular with regard to current affairs, environment and a sprinkling of sport, but no topic is off the table. You can and we encourage volunteers to join us on shopping trips and visits to local attractions, such as historic villages, lakes and walks in the forest. If this is what you are looking for we look forward to hearing from you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Hiking

  

  Nature

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Animals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I am a native English speaker who has lived & worked in France for last 20 years. So I can help with both English and French vocabulary. I have for the last 15yrs been the chef cantinierie in the local school and enjoy cooking a variety of cuisines which I am happy to share. I also have a small artisan hobby business making scented candles and melts as well as managing a gite (holiday home) on site.
  
  My partner Malcolm is a soil scientist and horticulturalist who has travelled extensively. He is currently creating a sustainable and self sufficient enterprise both as a means to provide our own food and as a teaching resource. Working alongside Malcolm you will learn practical skills in crop and soil husbandry as well as the underlying principles and mechanisms of crop nutrition and soil fertility. He is keen to share his knowledge in composting, sustainable farming practices and habitat management.
  
  Furthermore we are in the process of establishing a breeding flock of fancy chickens which we hope to develop into a hobby business.
  
  Above all this is a cultural exchange and informal vocational training opportunity in sustainable living. We enjoy conversation particular with regard to current affairs, environment and a sprinkling of sport, but no topic is off the table. You can and we encourage volunteers to join us on shopping trips and visits to local attractions, such as historic villages, lakes and walks in the forest. If this is what you are looking for we look forward to hearing from you.

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  Help

  We are creating a sustainable small holding using traditional methods and modern scientific understanding. My partner is a soil scientist and horticulturalist with experience in commercial and developmental growing. We are aiming to be self sufficient in our own food needs whilst simultaneously creating a training resource for courses in sustainable farming. Volunteering with us will be for 4/5 hrs a day, usually in the mornings for 5 days. In the afternoons and weekends you will be free to explore the area and to this ends we have bicycles you can use.
  
  This is a hands on placement where you will have the opportunity to learn about crop and soil husbandry, plant nutrition, soil fertility and compost manufacture. You will therefore need tyo bring with you appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor work. Whilst prior experience is beneficial its not essential as you will always be working with us. The more willing and interested you are the more you can gain from our knowledge.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I speak fluent English, almost fluent French & would like to learn some Spanish or Italian so open to exchanges. My partner however, who you will be mainly volunteering with talks a lot but only in English.
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  Accommodation

  one of two rooms in our home with with shared bathroom. We will also provide meals the preparation and clearing up from is also a shared task. you will be expected to contribute to normal family life.
  
  We can accommodate camper-vans and can provide electricity, wifi & access to the bathrooms in the house.

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  What else ...

  We are In the national park with a large forest nearby as well as picturesque lakes dotted around. Public transport is practically non existent, and the train station at sille le Guillaume is 10kms away . We have bicycles for you to use and explore the area and will on your days off drop you at the station if you want to visit Le Mans. You can also join us on shopping trips and on visits to historic towns or walks around the lakes and forest.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  the answer to this is yes and no. We have desk space available but it depends what and how you earn on line.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  we can offer parking, electric hook up, wifi and access to shower and wc in the main house.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  we have goats, sheep, horses, chickens (free range), cats and dog - if you have pets they must be well behaved around our pets.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  3 goats, 3 sheep, 1 horse, flock of fancy chickens. We also have a dog and two cats

  pinto

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